Like any sport, hiking has its safety issues and potential dangers. And hikers must be prepared for them to be safe. Here is a list, well two lists, of hiking safety tips to help your hiking adventures to be safer and more enjoyable.
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The first list includes tips for preparing in advance for a particular hike or for hiking in general. The second list is made up of on-the-trail tips.
Here they are:
SAFETY PREPARATION
Safety Tip #1: Get in shape before you hit the trail.
Safety Tip #2: Brush up on your first aid knowledge so you’ll be prepared to handle small medical emergencies like cuts, hypothermia, snake bites etc.
Safety Tip #3: Every chance you get, learn a new survival skill – how to light a fire without matches, how to build a primitive shelter, how to trap an animal . . .
Safety Tip #4: Check your gear before leaving home. Make sure it is functioning properly and in good repair. This includes GPS and flashlight or headlamp with charged/fresh batteries.
Safety Tip #5: Study up ahead of time on pertinent information about the trail you plan to take. Some information to get concerning the trail includes length, condition and altitude gain.
Safety Tip #6: Study up ahead of time on the rules and regulations of the area, forest, park etc. where you plan to hike or go backpacking. Learn about camping, reservations, fires, pets, wildlife and whatever other areas of concern there may be. Either call the authority involved or find the associated website.
Safety Tip #7: Buy and study the maps of the hiking area.
Safety Tip #8: Get meteorological information about the area where you will be hiking. Get the weather report plus times for sunrise and sunset.
Safety Tip #9: Be wildlife safe. Study up on what types of wildlife inhabits your proposed hiking area. Are there rattlesnakes? Cougars? Black bears? Brown bears? Know before hand how to avoid encounters with such potentially-dangerous animals. Know also what to do in case of an encounter.
Safety Tip #10: Make sure you include in your backpack more than enough personal medications or medical supplies like inhalers or epinephrine kits for allergic reactions.
Safety Tip #11: Leave your itinerary with a responsible person before leaving the trailhead.
Safety Tip #12: Have a well-stocked first aid kit ready to go.
SAFETY ON THE TRAIL
Safety Tip #13: Hike with a companion. Even though some experienced hikers prefer solo hiking, there is greater safety in numbers. This is especially true in bear or mountain lion country.
Safety Tip #14: Stay on marked trails.
Safety Tip #15: If you’re hiking in a group, keep everybody together. Don’t allow some to forge ahead and others to lag behind.
Safety Tip #16: Hydrate adequately. Take plenty of water and/or sports drinks.
Safety Tip #17: Drink purified water. You can boil it for at least one minute, filter it or use chemical purification. Study about it online.
Safety Tip #18: Avoid heat-related medical conditions such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Dress for the heat and hydrate copiously.Drink three to four quarts of liquid per day.
Safety Tip #19: Learn to recognize and avoid poisonous plants such as poison ivy and poison oak. If you touch one of these rash-producing plants, wash the affected part immediately with water and mild soap.
Safety Tip #20: To decrease your risks of encountering a dozing snake, be careful where you place you feet and hands.
Safety Tip #21: Carry a basic survival kit. It’s like carrying a spare time. You hope never to have to use it, but it does a lot for peace of mind.
Safety Tip #22: Resist trying to cross raging streams. They can be dangerous with much stronger currents than they appear to have. Cross streams very carefully. Unbuckle your backpack hip belt as a precaution. That way, if you fall in the stream, you won’t be dragged under by your heavy backpack.
Safety Tip #23: Avoid hypothermia. Use rain gear; use a layering/wicking system of dressing.
Safety Tip #24: Avoid cotton. They say that cotton kills. This fabric doesn’t wick moisture away from your body like synthetic fabrics. Cotton stays wet and can contribute to hypothermia.
Safety Tip #25: Don’t take foolish chances. I have to admit, I’ve taken a few. They say there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots. The same goes for hikers.
Hike safely with these hiking safety tips. ~Richard Davidian, Ph.D.
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What a great compilation of tips. I’m going to have to say that I didn’t realize that cotton could be so deadly!